However, despite his obviously satisfaction at the result, he has warned his players that the tie is not over yet.

“I’m very happy because it is a very good result,” Pellegrini told BT Sport.

“It is not finished but playing away and having a two-goal lead is very good. The team played well and had lots of chances. Maybe when it was 2-1 we had moments of doubt, but then we got the third goal.

“Is the tie settled? No, it is important in football to never think it is finished. But to have that third goal gives us more confidence for the second leg.”

Aside from a spell in the second half where Kiev capitalised on some pressure through Vitaliy Buyalsky’s deflected strike, City were rarely troubled.

However, captain Vincent Kompany was keen to highlight the contribution of goalkeeper Joe Hart to the result.

“The performance was good, with a lot of high pressing, 3-1 is a good result and we are happy with it.

“Joe Hart is an unbelievable keeper. When he was called upon he did it well.

“We are going into the second leg with a fairly good chance to go through, which has not been the case before. We looked like a team that was hungry for success tonight.

“I feel like I am contradicting myself a little after the FA Cup but I feel like every cup is a priority. Every game is a priority. It is not easy to predict which competition you will do well in.”